NEW YEAR'S EVE 2017-18

To ring in 2018, we’ve compiled 18 of our favorite New Year’s Eve and New Year's Day events happening around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Rave all night at a bash so big it’s taking over the Minneapolis Convention Center for two days, or celebrate 2018 at noon with your little ones. We’ve found events that bring the funk while others will be going even more old school—think 1800s Tchaikovsky. However you want to raise a toast to the new year, there’s no better place to be than the Twin Cities.

Events for All Ages

Afton Alps: New Year’s Eve Family Celebration. Dec. 31, 9 a.m.-midnight. What can be more Minnesotan than celebrating the end of the year playing in the snow? Hit the slopes at Afton Alps for their family friendly New Year’s Eve, including bonfire, food specials, an indoor bounce house and s’mores. From 7:30-10:30 p.m., live music is provided by Triple Dog Dare, and there will even be hillside fireworks at 9 p.m. If you buy an afternoon lift ticket online for the event, you can return on New Year’s Day for free.

Lizz Winstead in 2017: The Greatest Sh*t Show on Earth with Sam Breckenridge. Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. As you can probably tell from the title, while this show is all ages, you might not want to bring your youngest. With Lizz Winstead’s comedy chops, though, they'll probably find the show hilarious. After growing up in Minnesota and performing at Brave New Workshop, Winstead eventually made her way to NYC, co-created “The Daily Show,” served as its head writer, and has continued to stack up the accolades.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: Noon Year’s Party. Dec. 31 & Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. You’ll always be wowed by Mother Nature’s flora and fauna at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, but for New Year’s, the place will also be filled with games, music and dancing from Kidsdance DJs, crafts, zookeeper talks and more for the family. Make sure to come for the noon beach ball drop that happens on both days; there’s even a special area for children 5 years old and younger to enjoy it!

Mall of America: New Year’s Eve: Moonlight Circus. Dec. 31, 6 p.m.-midnight. Nickeloden Universe is always a place of giggles and thrills, but on New Year’s Eve, it’s pulling out all of the stops. Prepare to be amazed by Xelias Aerial Studio’s jugglers, aerialists, contortionists and unicyclists in the nearby Rotunda. Meet your favorite Nickelodeon characters and receive giveaways in between the rides, and catch the countdown to 2018 at both 10 p.m. and midnight.

Orchestra Hall: New Year Celebration: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1. Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m. and Jan. 1, 2 p.m. The Minnesota Orchestra is kicking off 2018 with two weeks of Tchaikovsky, starting with Piano Concerto No. 1. If you go to the Dec. 31 performance, stick around after the concert for a complimentary champagne toast at midnight (if you’re of age) and a post-concert by Belle Amour. They’ll provide the vintage jazz, and you can provide the dancing.

Vieux Carré. Dec. 31, 5-9 p.m., 21+ starting at 10:30 p.m. In the early evening, join Vieux Carré for an all-inclusive three-course meal, drinks and traditional New Orleans jazz serenades by the Southside Acres. For the late night crowd, Joyann Parker is taking the stage with her band at 10:30 p.m. with her signature blues and a midnight champagne toast.

18+ Events

Flip Phone presents 2018: The Party. Dec. 31, 9 p.m. If you’re looking for a great night, would First Avenue ever steer you wrong? Featuring Raja and Raven from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the night will have pop-up drag, a midnight balloon drop and, as the poster says, “non-stop dance jams + debauchery.” Are you ready for it?

Myth Live: 2018 New Year’s Eve Party with Lizzo. Dec. 31, 9 p.m. There’s no arguing with Lizzo’s stage presence or her alternative hip hop. Special guests Brooke Candy, CupcakKe, Doja Cat, DJ Sophia Eris and an appearance by GRRRL PRTY! guarantee that the beat will be thumping all night long.

Skyway Theatre: NYE 2018 featuring Jauz. Dec. 30 & 31, 7 p.m. The Skyway Theatre has put together such a hefty lineup, it needs two days. Saturday’s headliner is Canadian electronic music band Keys N Krates, but you can catch five other bands across the venue's six stages of music. On Sunday, not only do you get L.A.-based Jauz as main DJ for the night, there are live dancers, an art gallery, another full lineup, and complimentary food and drinks from 7-9 p.m.

Snowta NYE Festival. Dec. 30 & 31, doors open at 6 p.m. Forget the cold and warm up on the dance floor to the tune of more than 50 EDM-heavy artists including Excision, Pretty Lights Love, Post Malone and Gucci Mane. When you’re not raving under the kaleidoscopic lights, check out Snowta's skate park, snowboard rail jam, arcade, alien laser tag and more.

21+ Events

24K New Year’s Eve Magic. Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Celebrate the beginning of a new year in style at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Hotel. For the past 12 years, NYEMPLS has been throwing one of the biggest New Year's parties in the Twin Cities, so it’s safe to say they’re pretty good at it. Expect aerialists, immersive performances, and the beats of Strangelove, 95.3 Go Radio Station’s D MIL and Chicago-based Brotinez.

Betty Danger’s New Year’s Eve GOLD Party. Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Ring in 2018 at the only bar in town offering sleigh rides in the sky, courtesy of The Danger Ferris wheel. For New Year’s, you get three complimentary cocktails of your choosing and a complimentary champagne toast in addition to the regular Mexican and all-American menu. Disco the night away with DJ Shiek and remember—stay classy, stay golden.

Brit’s Pub: New Year’s Eve Bash. Bring in the New Year on UK time, a.k.a. 6 p.m., with bagpipes and complimentary champagne. While good cheer will be all around, make sure to stay until 8:30 p.m. when the Beatles tribute band A Hard Day’s Night tunes up.

Hewing Hotel: Down the Rabbit Hole. Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. It’s New Year’s Eve in Wonderland, so expect the unexpected with acrobats, contortionists, characters and live entertainment by DJ Sarah White and other bands. The wine, beer, hand-crafted cocktails and hors d’oeuvres fit to be served at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party are included in your ticket, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy a night in down the rabbit hole.

NYE 2018: Top Secret. Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Combine the glamor of the Lumber Exchange Event Center, the energy of The Pourhouse, and the swank of The Exchange & Alibi Lounge, and you have three floors of party—with a James Bond theme. DJs, live music, casino tables, giveaways, entertainment and more are waiting. Make sure to dress to impress.

Sisyphus Brewing: East Coast Style NYE Show. Dec. 31, 7 and 9 p.m. The only thing East Coast about this is at that it rings in the New Year at 11 p.m. Otherwise the show features some of the funniest Twin Cities comedians, with Jeff Pfoser, Chloe Radcliffe, Kate Anderson and your host Maggie Faris. Grab a ticket to either show, but beware. The annual tradition has been a historical sell out.

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